Development doesn't pay its way!

Some of us remember the late Mike Graham (Libertyville Township Supervisor and member of the Lake County Board) who warned us in the '80s and '90s that "development doesn't pay its way." They thought he was crazy.

So, here we are, more than two decades down the road - and Libertyville is actually considering adding another 148 single-family homes.

Think about it: Who paid for Vernon Hills High School? Who paid for more and improved roads? Who paid for more municipal services? Big money.

How many car trips will come from 148 homes: 1,332! (Statistics show that each house will generate at least nine car trips every day.)

Who pays? Not the developer - they've already shown us they would butcher trees to accomplish their goal. Build, sell, leave town -- and hand the property tax bag over to Libertyville's current homeowners.

Yes, Mike. We heard you then, but that was so long ago.

Let us not forget. Development does not pay its way.

Larry Leafblad

Grayslake